Exercising apparatus



Dec. 3, 1940. R, E, NILSON EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1939 ,,IzZ

Patented Dec. 3, 1940 "EXERCISING APPARATUS Raymond E. Nilson, Boston, 'Mass, assignor of one-half to Harvey 0. Wheeler, Boston, Mass.

Application June 20,

1 Claim.

My present invention is a novel and improved apparatus for and method of exercising and developing muscles not responsive to ordinary and usual apparatus and methods, and to improve 5 posture and general health restoration.

Heretofore, it has been customary to provide exercising apparatus and devices for ordinary muscular development, but all such prior devices and methods, as far as I am aware, have failed to provide means for proper and full development of certain parts of the anatomy, such for example as the leg and body muscles fulcrumed on the pelvis.

My present invention is directed particularly to enable the hip and thigh muscles of both body and legs to be easily, readily, and beneficially developed and strengthened thru simple but efiicient exercising methods and by the utilization of a light, elastic, and adjustable apparatus.

In carrying out my present invention I provide an apparatus, preferably of a pluralityof strips of rubber, either united at each end or otherwise fitted to be applicable around the foot and instep of the users, but, if desirable, around the ankle of each foot. Preferably, I employ a suitable strip of elastic material having one or more 1ongitudinal slits centrally of the same in order to provide a plurality of strips extending from adjacent one end of the material to the other so that the user may readily slip each foot between the slotted portion adjacent each end.

Thereupon, I provide a simple fastening clasp which may be also an elastic band, and which clasping device can be slid into fastening position in contact with or adjacent the foot of the user, thus readily, easily, and lightly holding the apparatus in engagement with the instep and arch portion of the foot. Thereupon, the user will assume a reclining position, for example, on the left side and thereupon lift the right leg against the tension of the elastic material uniting each foot and lifting it also against its own weight, thus developing the leg and body muscles around the hip portion of the user.

After a suitable time of suchexercise, the user would then shift to the right side and repeat the lifting exercise with the left leg. It is advisable for the user to endeavor to maintain each leg relatively stiif and rigid during these lifting exercising movement, and the user may readily gauge his own strength as to the extent of the movement and lifting action requisite due to the increasing tension of the elastic member as it is thus stretched or expanded during these exercising operations. Also the user readily becomes 1939, Serial No. 280,083

able to increase the lifting and stretching move ments as his strength increases.

My present apparatus is economical in construction and is so easily and readily attached and detached to each foot of the wearer and yieldingly locked in attached position so as to insure proper action and operation.

Referring to the drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of my present apparatus adapted to carry out the features of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the user with the apparatus in operation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a simple form of the apparatus comprising parallel rubber-like straps united at each end, and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the yielding fastening clamps to attach or lock the ends of the device on each foot of the user.

As shown in the drawing, I have indicated a user in reclining position as shown at I, with one leg 2 in substantially horizontal or. reclining position but in contact with the ground or support on which the useris lying, and with theother leg 3 in extended position and having the exercising device attached to the instep and foot portion of.

each foot 3 and 4, approximately as shown. The exercising device itself comprises a pair of rubber straps 6 and 1 of any suitable width and tension and united at each end as shown at 8 and 9 integrally by a cross-member or part.

Enclosing or enveloping the elastic members 6 and 1 are clamps or bands l0 and I2, preferably rubber bands, which can be readily slid along the entire exercising device and moved toward or from either end. These act to yieldingly interlock the ends of the device with the foot of the wearer as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and thus serve to prevent the device from readily becoming detached during use while permitting ready removal and attachment as desired.

Thus, by means of my novel exercising device, a user can readily attach or detach same and perform the beneficial exercises, using one'leg alternately as the anchoring member, and the other as the movable member and thus exercise both, and can of course shift from one to the other without shifting in any way the exercising device. I

Furthermore, while it is preferable to assume a reclining position, which gives one the benefit of gravity together with the resiliency of the exercising device when in use, it is also possible to stand erect and carry out the same exercises.

No other apparatus of which I am aware has a similar capacity or beneficial efiect on the user and, also, this is obtained by a simple, eficient, and inexpensive apparatus.

I also findthat an important and beneficial result from the use of my novel exercising apparatus consists in the development of the leg muscles of the user so that a corrective and straightening is secured where the user has either a knock-kneed or bow-legged condition. This is most important, and I find that the curative effect of my exercising device not only tends to straighten the limbs when thus distorted, but also to render the same more supple, sightly and healthy.

My exercising device also removes and eliminates the accumulation of fat around the knee RAYMOND E. NILSON. 

